A short and private discourse between Mr. Bolton and one M.S. concerning usury. PublishedA short and priuate discourse betweene Mr. Bolton and one M.S. concerning vsury. Published

1. Why then I say, Thou art like a kind Thief,¹ who having taken 40 s. from a man by the highway, throws back perhaps some ten groats to bear His charges home.

1. Why then I say, Thou art like a kind Thiefe,¹ who having taken 40 s. from a man by the hieway, throwes back perhaps some ten groates to beare His charges home.

1. 1Answ. 1.

2. By so doing, Thou sinnest less indeed then those cruel, and cut-throat Cannibals that besides after 10. in the 100. must have a load of Coals or some other gratuity. But for all that, thou art not freed from usurious guilt, and greediness. Suppose a malefactor at bar should cry out unto the Judge; that whereas His fellow-prisoners, some of them had stolen Horses, others ⟨p. 45⟩broke houses, others robbed by the hie way, others killed men; He only had but stolen a few sheep: would this acquit Him? Nay He would be burned in the hand for a rogue at least.

2. By so doing, Thou sin'st lesse indeed then those cruell, and cut-throat Cannibals that besides after 10. in the 100. must have a loade of Coales or some other gratuity. But for all that, thou art not freed from usurious guilt, and greedinesse. Suppose a malefactour at barre should cry out unto the Judge; that whereas His fellow-prisoners, some of them had stolne Horses, others ⟨p. 45⟩broke houses, others rob'd by the hie way, others killed men; He onely had but stolen a few sheepe: would this acquit Him? Nay He would be burned in the hand for a rogue at least.